Light bulbs or other lighting elements are packaged and shipped to businesses for eventual transfer to consumers. Packaging the light bulbs in a manner that protects them from transit-related damage is challenging and expensive. Moreover, upon receipt of the packaged light bulbs, a merchant must then transfer them to a shelf or other display so that consumers may evaluate options and make selections. Such transfer can be fraught with additional damage to the light bulbs and may not always result in a consumer having appropriate visibility into what is contained in the packaging or display. Further, conventional display mechanisms may not provide for reuse of the display materials.
Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, solutions to improve existing methods and apparatuses have been realized and are described in connection with embodiments of the present invention.
Various embodiments provide for a shipping and display box. In embodiments, the shipping and display box can be used for linear tube lighting elements. In example embodiments, a shipping and display box includes a bottom panel, the bottom panel comprising a distal end wall at a distal end of the bottom panel and a proximal end tab at a proximal end of the bottom panel. In embodiments, the shipping and display box further includes a first side wall adjacent to and at an approximate right angle to the bottom panel at a first crease line, the first side wall comprising a first proximal side fold-over panel at a proximal end of the first side wall and a first distal side fold-over panel at a distal end of the first side wall, wherein the first proximal side fold-over panel and the first distal side fold-over panel are substantially parallel to and facing one another.
In embodiments, the shipping and display box further includes a top panel adjacent to and at an approximate right angle to the first side wall at a second crease line, the top panel comprising a proximal end wall at a proximal end of the top panel and a distal end tab at a distal end of the top panel, wherein the top panel and the bottom panel are substantially parallel to and facing one another.
In embodiments, the shipping and display box further includes a second side wall adjacent to and at an approximate right angle to the top panel at a third crease line, the second side wall comprising a second proximal side fold-over panel at a proximal end of the second side wall and a second distal side fold-over panel at a distal end of the second side wall, wherein the second proximal side fold-over panel and the second distal side fold-over panel are substantially parallel to and facing one another, and wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are substantially parallel to and facing one another,
In embodiments, the distal end wall is folded at a fourth crease line toward the top panel and secured to the distal end of the top panel by way of the distal end tab of the top panel and the proximal end wall is folded at a fifth crease line toward the bottom panel and secured to the proximal end of the bottom panel by way of the proximal end tab of the bottom panel.
In embodiments, the bottom panel, first side wall, second side wall, top panel, and proximal end wall each comprise one or more perforations configured to enable removal of sections of each of the bottom panel, first side wall, second side wall, top panel, and proximal end wall for display of contents of the shipping and display box.
Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale.
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the description is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting to embodiments of the present invention. As used in the description, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “or” is used herein in both the alternative and conjunctive sense, unless otherwise indicated. The terms “illustrative” and “exemplary” are used to be examples with no indication of quality level.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of dimensions such as length, width, height, and so forth as used in the description are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical properties set forth in the description are approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained in embodiments of the present invention. Notwithstanding that the approximate numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of embodiments of the present invention, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical values, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from error found in their respective measurements.
Still further, while numbers expressing quantities of dimensions such as length, width, height, and sort forth are incorporated throughout the description, such as to be understood as exemplary in nature, versus limiting. In other words, certain embodiments may have dimensions substantially greater than the exemplary numbers expressed herein, while other embodiments may have dimensions substantially less than the same, as may be desirable for particular applications. It should be understood that such variations in dimensions are contemplated and considered within the scope of various embodiments. Accordingly, for purposes of brevity of disclosure, such variations may be assumed with regard to any remaining described dimensions herein, even where not explicitly described with regard to particular panels or other elements.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
In various embodiments, the formed crease lines are configured to encourage bending at the crease lines. For instance, in various embodiments, the crease lines may be formed by placing indentations in the blank 100, by partial cuts through the body of the blank 100, by placing serrated indentations in the body of the blank 100 that include alternating sections of cuts through the body of the blank and sections without cuts, and/or combinations thereof.
For convenience, the blank 100 is shown in
It may be seen from
For example, the overall size of a shipping box 200 or display box (e.g., or system) 300 according to embodiments herein may include a height of four (4) feet and a width of eight (8) feet. In other embodiments, the overall size may include a height of four (4) feet and a width of four (4) feet. A length or depth of the shipping box 200 or display box 300 may vary based on the packaged components intended therefor (e.g., two (2) feet or three (3) feet). The packaged components within the shipping box 200 or display box 300 may include various types of lightbulbs or other lighting elements, although embodiments herein are not limited to such components. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, these and still other dimensions of the blank 100 may be substantially greater than or substantially less than those recited above, as may be desirable for shipping and display of certain packaged components. For purposes of brevity, such variations may be assumed with regarding to any remaining described dimensions.
A side fold-over panel 115 may be included on a first side of the first side wall 104, where the side fold-over panel 115 and the first side of the first side wall 104 are adjoined by a crease line 133. A distal end wall 105 may be included on a distal end of the first side wall 104, where the distal end wall 105 includes a first distal end wall panel 108 and a second distal end wall panel 107. The first distal end wall panel 108 is adjacent the second distal end wall panel 107 at a crease line 135. A distal aperture 109 may also be included along the crease line 135, for accepting a distal end tab 118 situated at a distal end of the second side wall 103. The distal end wall 105 is adjacent the first side wall 104 at a crease line 134.
A proximal side fold-over panel 116 and a distal side fold-over panel 117 are positioned at a proximal end and a distal end, respectively, of the top panel 102. The top panel 102 is adjacent the first side wall 104 at a crease line 132, and is adjacent the second side wall 103 at a crease line 131. The proximal side fold-over panel 116 is adjacent the top panel 102 at a crease line 140, while the distal fold-over panel 117 is adjacent the top panel 102 at a crease line 136.
A proximal side fold-over panel 114 and a distal side fold-over panel 113 are positioned at a proximal end and a distal end, respectively, of the bottom panel 101. The bottom panel 101 is adjacent the second side wall 103 at a crease line 130. The proximal side fold-over panel 114 is adjacent the bottom panel 101 at a crease line 138, while the distal fold-over panel 113 is adjacent the bottom panel 101 at a crease line 137.
A proximal end wall 106 may be included on a proximal end of the second side wall 103, where the proximal end wall 106 includes a first proximal end wall panel 110 and a second proximal end wall panel 111. The first proximal end wall panel 110 is adjacent the second proximal end wall panel 111 at a crease line 141. A proximal aperture 112 may also be included along the crease line 141, for accepting a proximal end tab 119 situated at a proximal end of the first side wall 104. The proximal end wall 106 is adjacent the second side wall 103 at a crease line 139.
The blank 100 is further configured with perforations 121 and holes 120 positioned such that sections of the blank 100, after the blank 100 has been assembled into a shipping box 200, may be removed. For example, the second side wall 103 may include holes 120 and perforations extending from the holes toward one or more of the top panel 102 and first side wall 104, the bottom panel 101, or the proximal end wall 106. Removal of the sections of the shipping box 200 according to perforations 121 and holes 120 configures the shipping box 200 into a display box or system 300 for ease in displaying packaged components.
In embodiments, the proximal end of the blank 100 may constitute a front or display side of the shipping box 200 or display box 300 while the distal end of the blank 100 may constitute a rear side of the shipping box 200 or display box 300. Further, the top panel may constitute a top or upper portion of the shipping box 200 or display box 300, while the bottom panel may constitute a bottom or lower portion of the shipping box 200 or display box 300. However, it will be appreciated that references to front or rear, top or bottom, are not intended to be limiting herein.
With reference to
The shipping box 200 (not shown in
The bottom panel 101 may also then be folded along crease line 130 between the second side wall 103 and the bottom panel 101 at an approximate right angle such that the top panel 102 and the bottom panel 101 are substantially parallel to and facing one another.
Proximal side fold-over panel 116 may be folded along crease line 140 between proximal side fold-over panel 116 and top panel 102 at an approximate right angle, and distal side fold-over panel 117 may be folded along crease line 136 between distal side fold-over panel 117 and top panel 102 at an approximate right angle such that the proximal side fold-over panel 116 and distal side fold-over panel 117 are substantially parallel to and facing one another.
Proximal side fold-over panel 114 may be folded along crease line 138 between proximal side fold-over panel 114 and bottom panel 101 at an approximate right angle, and distal side fold-over panel 113 may be folded along crease line 137 between distal side fold-over panel 113 and bottom panel 101 at an approximate right angle such that the proximal side fold-over panel 114 and distal side fold-over panel 113 are substantially parallel to and facing one another.
Distal end wall 105 may be folded along crease line 134 between first distal end wall panel 108 and the first side wall 104 at an approximate right angle. The second distal wall end panel 107 may be folded at crease line 135 between first distal end wall panel 108 and second distal end wall panel 107 at an approximate right angle.
Second distal end wall panel 107 may be positioned such that it is tucked into an opening inside the second side panel 103, and distal end tab 118 is inserted into distal end aperture 109 to secure distal end wall 105 in place.
In embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments, at this point in the assembly process, packaged components may be loaded into a cavity formed within the shipping box 200 before the proximal end wall 106 is closed. Further, it will be appreciated that proximal side fold-over panels 116 and 114 may be folded after the packaged components are loaded into the cavity, instead of before.
Proximal end wall 106 may be folded along crease line 139 between first proximal end wall panel 110 and the second side wall 103 at an approximate right angle. The second proximal wall end panel 111 may be folded at crease line 141 between first proximal end wall panel 110 and second proximal end wall panel 111 at an approximate right angle.
Second proximal end wall panel 111 may be positioned such that it is tucked into an opening inside the first side panel 104, and proximal end tab 119 is inserted into proximal end aperture 112 to secure proximal end wall 106 in place.
Subsequent to transport of the shipping box 200 (e.g., filled with packaged components 201, shown in
Shown in
Sections of the blank 100 may be removed, subsequent to assembly into shipping box 200, according to the perforations so that the contents (e.g., plurality of packaged components 201) of the display box 300 (e.g., see
In various embodiments, display box 300 may include descriptive contents on an exterior of the proximal end wall 106 for providing information regarding the contents of the display box 300.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.